Premium on Safety - Issue 37, 2020 - 2

where and why I'd learned habits like the ones
I was using, and it struck me how valuable to
personal risk and stress management an aviation
perspective can be at a time like this.
The initial directions to lock down, flatten the
curve, and observe social distance seemed
Draconian and called for actions few of us
previously envisioned. But the messaging has
shifted with reopening. Now, we're encouraged to
evaluate risk in advance when planning trips and
think in terms of limiting exposure. It's suggested
that we use personal protective gear and be
flexible and adapt our plans when unexpected
threats arise. We're challenged to stay mindful of
our actions, be consistent and professional in using
basic, standard procedures. We're to stay vigilant
when navigating public spaces known to have
threats, but into which we've weighed and made
a rational decision to go. This, friends, is aviation's
native language.
A quiet accomplishment of modern aviation
has been to devise strategies that make living
and working daily in an unforgiving, threatfilled environment normal and safe. Finding
silver linings in a pandemic isn't easy. But I'll
count as one the fact my vocation has preinstalled a mindset and set of habits that are
directly adaptable and ideally suited to living in
BY
SCOTT M.
SPANGLER
a Coronavirus
world.
You've got them too. Use
them to your advantage. Model and share them
to help those close to you. You're already what is
needed and a vital part of the solution.

Stay well, fly smart, and fly safe.

Paul Ratté
Director of Aviation Safety Programs, USAIG

FOCUS POINT
A-Assign and Aviate
When abnormal situations arise, there can be a temptation for both
crewmembers to go "heads down" to work through the problem-
meanwhile nobody's flying the airplane. This scenario should be avoided
at all costs. Depending on the crew's experience level, it may be most
advantageous for the SIC to fly the airplane while the PIC uses the extra
bandwidth to diagnose, delegate tasks amongst the crew, and gather
pertinent information.
Tip: Time management is key. Starting a timer at the onset of a problem
helps us do two things. First, it prevents us from rushing into a problem
without first taking the time to diagnose it. And secondly, it helps us
gauge time spent working on different tasks.
B-Best Places to Land
Initially, check your fuel status. Once you have a sense of how far or
how long you can fly for, then you can better figure out what other
requirements you need to land. For instance, do you need somewhere

Diversions can be a complex problem with many
moving parts, so there is no one-size-fits-all solution.
However, having a mental or physical checklist
on hand can help us navigate through a diversion
methodically and efficiently.
with customs and immigration services, or is the priority to urgently find a
suitable length of pavement? Your needs will determine your options.
Use all available resources at hand (EFBs, Dispatch, Flight Service, ATC,
on-board WiFi) to narrow down airports. Then carefully weigh the pros
and cons of each airport and be prepared to verbalize your findings with
the rest of your crew.
Tip: Many electronic flight bags (EFB's) allow users to "filter" airports
based on runway length in the map view. As a general rule of thumb, the
longer the runway length, the more likely the airport is to have a precision
approach, ATC tower, and FBO services.
C-Communicate
This may go without saying, but before deciding on a plan, it's important
to first verbalize the options to the rest of the crew and ask for their
perspective. This not only gives everyone a chance to speak up and voice
their opinions but can also help eradicate any potential confirmation bias
formed on your part.
While most of the discussions will be happening up front, there are other
vital stakeholders that should also be kept in the loop. The flight attendant
(who will be particularly interested in preparing the cabin for landing) and
dispatch/company are some of the most obvious ones.
Tip: A good crew resource management (CRM) technique is to take
recommendations from the most junior crewmember first and then work

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Premium on Safety - Issue 37, 2020

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Premium on Safety - Issue 37, 2020
